Kent State University
Ohio
Castro Lands Fall in Loss to Bobcats
2/9/2024 8:58:00 PM | Wrestling
KENT- Pablo Castro IV struck for a first-period fall, highlighting a fast start for the Golden Flashes but it was not enough in a 34-15 setback to the Ohio Bobcats in the annual Grudge Match on Friday night.
Castro dominated from the opening whistle and earned the pin at the 2:26 mark of the match. It highlighted a lightning quick start for the Flashes. Adan Benevidez got things rolling with a 16-4 major decision victory over Bryce Skinner to put Kent State up 4-0. After Castro's pin put the Flashes up 10-0, Billy Meiszner kept the momentum going with a 21-2 technical fall of Aidan Waszak, giving Kent State a 15-0 lead after three bouts. The Flashes would battle the Bobcats in the final seven matches including a pair that came down to the final moments. Matt Ryan came up on the short end of a 12-9 back-and-forth match with Derek Raike, a top-30 wrestler at 149 pounds. Aaron Ferguson dropped an instant classic to the MAC's top wrestler at 165, 10-7. The match was tied at seven late in the third when Ferguson nearly had a take down and a late edge. Thompson was able to step-through and flip the script on Ferguson, resulting in a take down of his own in the final seconds.
During the match, the Flashes recognized Coach Jim Andrassy for picking up his 200th career win at Kent State, doing so with the Flashes dual win over LIU earlier this year. Kent State also welcomed back the 2023 senior class, presenting nine wrestlers who were able to make it back for the match with a framed singlet.
The full results are below as well as in a link at the top of the story. Kent State is back at home next Friday to welcome in Central Michigan at 7 p.m. inside the MAC Center.
125 Adan Benavidez d.Bryce Skinner MD 16-4 4 0
133 Pablo Castro IV d. Malachi O`Leary Fall 2:26 6 0
141 Billy Meiszner d. Aidan Waszak TF 21-2 0:005 0
149 Derek Raike d. Matthew Ryan Dec 12-9 0 3
157 Peyten Kellar d.Keegan Knapp TF 18-2 0:00 0 5
165 Garrett Thompson d. Aaron Ferguson Dec 10-7 0 3
174 Sal Perrine d. AJ Burkhart Fall 4:36 0 6
184 Zayne Lehman d. Mitchell Broskie TF 16-0 5:10 0 5
197 Austin Starr d. Blake Schaffer Fall 4:09 0 6
285 Jordan Greer d.Josh Boggan Fall 2:47 0 6
Team Score: 15 34
Players Mentioned
